- Lifespan
- 25–30 years in the wild
- Size & Weight
- 37–39 cm, wingspan 63–67 cm; 570–650 g
- Habitat
- Rocky coastal cliffs, offshore islands, and open ocean waters; returns to breeding colonies in spring.
- UK Distribution
- Found around much of the UK and Irish coastlines, particularly in Scotland, northern England, Wales, and south-west England. Summer breeder (April–August); winters at sea, dispersing into the Atlantic.
- Diet
- Primarily small fish, especially sandeels, sprats, and capelin, caught by diving and pursuit underwater.
- Prey
- Sandeels, sprats, capelin, and other small fish species
- Predators
- Great black-backed gulls, herring gulls, and other large gulls; rats and foxes at breeding colonies; seals and fish during immature stages.
- Mating Season
- April to August
- Breeding
- Single egg laid in bare cliff crevices or burrows; incubation period 32–39 days; one brood per year; chick fledges at 35–46 days.
- Behaviour
- Highly gregarious, forming large breeding colonies on sea cliffs. Razorbills are excellent swimmers, using their wings to propel underwater and their streamlined bodies to chase fast-moving prey. They are largely silent except at breeding colonies, where they produce guttural calls.